Faithful Citizenship in Pa's 1st Congressional District and the Central Garden State: As we embark on the Fortnight for Freedom, let us "hold fast to our ancient teachings on marriage – for the sake of our souls, our families, and our civilization."

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

As we embark on the Fortnight for Freedom, let us "hold fast to our ancient teachings on marriage – for the sake of our souls, our families, and our civilization."

While his Theology of the Body is best known, Saint Pope John Paul II's solicitous concern for marriage, family, and the great gift of human sexuality - at the very fiber of God's plan for human happiness - was evident throughout his many talks and writings. And in his quarter century of annual addresses to the Roman Rota (the Church's "Supreme Court", if you will) - particularly near the end of his earthly journey – Saint Pope John Paul II seemed to have growing dis-ease about possible misuse of marriage tribunals, whereby a misguided "pastoral" perspective could destabilize marriage and family. He spoke, for example, of:

a dangerous exaggeration of psychological difficulties, wrongly leading to a conclusion that a spouse had been incapable of marital consent;
the danger of adding new requirements for marriage "that are foreign to tradition" (2/1/2001);
the need for "convalidating, where possible, marriages that are otherwise null" (1/28/2002);
how "professionals in the field of civil law should avoid being personally involved in anything that might imply a cooperation with divorce" (1/28/2002); and
the "presumption of its [marriage's] validity in case of doubt" (1/29/2004).

Saint Pope John Paul II's concerns appear to have led to the Vatican’s 2005 Dignitas Connubii (Instruction to be Observed by Diocesan and Interdiocesan Tribunals on Handling Causes of Marital Nullity).

June 21 and Declarations of Marital Nullity

As per the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Each year dioceses around the country arrange special events to highlight the importance of defending religious freedom. The Fortnight for Freedom is from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day.” It should be emphasized that Saint (Bishop) John Fisher and Saint Thomas More stood firmly with the Pope, as the Holy Father declined King Henry VIII’s demand for a declaration of marital nullity after abandoning his wife (See Katherine of Aragon: the Official Website for Her Cause.). While seemingly overlooked by some, spousal abandonment is a plague a half millennium after Henry VIII:

"We need a renewed effort on the part of bishops and priests to recognize that spousal abandonment is a crisis in our Church. Church leaders need to acknowledge this — and they need to encourage new, more effective responses in our parishes and chanceries....In a world that would have us believe that divorce is just an opportunity for a new start, the Church’s message must be loud and clear: We will hold fast to our ancient teachings on marriage – for the sake of our souls, our families, and our civilization." (Dr. Hilary Towers, Catholic News Agency, 3/4/11)
"To choose to stand firm in one’s marriage having experienced the utter devastation of spousal betrayal and to live a life of fidelity in the face of abandonment are most assuredly signs of contradiction to the world.... But the Church’s need of an alternative to annulment is not simply a spiritual matter. On a practical level, annulments follow civil divorce, and both involve the dismantling of a family that has been in existence for many years. The negative consequences of divorce to children and societies are well established....Many of us are personally aware of marriages, and families, that were restored after many years because of the commitment of a civilly divorced spouse. Let’s tell their stories. Let’s find ways to highlight the courage and determination of these faithful for the benefit of young and old, married, single and engaged, clergy and religious. Indeed, each one serves as a living reminder of the fidelity shown to us by God. In the words of Pope St. John Paul, 'On the part of God, the covenant is a lasting commitment; He remains faithful to His spousal love, even if the bride often shows herself to be unfaithful'” (Dr. Hilary Towers, National Catholic Register, 10/2/15).

Legislative advocacy from the USCCB and its partner agency

As per the USCCB’s “partner organization,” Support the Conscience Protection Act (HR 4828/S 2927)
As per the USCCB, Support CWPIA (Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act; HR 1299/ S667)
As per the USCCB, Support FADA (First Amend-ment Defense Act; HR2802/ S1598)
As per the USCCB, Oppose “confiscation of Christian lands in Cremisan Valley”
As per the USCCB, Oppose HR 4731

Click to Email Pa's Congressional Delegation, asking for Co-Sponsorship/Support of legislation backed by the USCCB and/or the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment.

Advocacy in Harrisburg on pro life and pro marriage/family legislation

As per the Pa Catholic Conference, “Please respect the concerns of all parties involved in adoption proceedings and vote no on HB 162 in its current form.”
As per the Pa Catholic Conference, "Ask your legislator to include the language of House Bill 1623 in the Fiscal Code.”
As per the Pa Catholic Conference, “I am quite concerned that HB 1510/ SB 974 will run afoul of religious freedom and expose even more… to discrimination. Please oppose the bill in its current form.”
As per the Pa Catholic Conference, “Please represent me by voting yes on House Bill 1948.” (SB 888)
As per the Pa Catholic Conference, HB 1947 “would not apply to public schools or government agencies....a legislative remedy must protect all children, not simply penalize some institutions” (i.e., Vote NO on HB 1947).
As per Pa Pro Life Online News (6/1/16), "Representative Steven Santarsiero (D-Bucks County) is circulating a co-sponsorship memo for a bill that would repeal Act 13 of 2013....Act 13 is the common sense law that ensures that no taxpayer funding of abortion will occur in the health insurance exchange created in Pennsylvania under Obamacare."
The Pa Pro Life Federation encourages us to OPPOSE HB 1336, as it would take away your right to vote for judges.